NZ First wants to replace the current work visa system with new visas specifically for skills shortages and labour shortages. They want to fast-track residency for doctors and nurses from certain countries, and crack down on the mistreatment of immigrant workers. They also plan to combine border agencies into one organisation.
“Remove the Accredited Employer Worker Visa and replace it with a Skills Shortage Visa and Labour Shortage Visa”
“NZ First will enable Residence within 30-days of arrival and Permanent Residence within two years, with a commitment to live and work in New Zealand for the next eight years, for in-demand clinical staff trained and registered in Australia, Canada, Singapore, Ireland, the United States and the United Kingdom.”
“We will end the abuse of immigrant workers working in slave-like conditions by ensuring those who are responsible for such maltreatment are seriously held to account.”
Summarised neutrally from NZ First’s own official policy (as at 2026-07-16) and checked by an editor. Nothing is paraphrased without the source linked. Read the original ↗ Arapono is non-partisan. Compare all parties on Immigration →
Which party holds a published position on which topic.
Swipe across to see all 11 topics — the party column stays put.
| Party | Economy | Housing | Health | Education | Climate | Environment | Crime & Justice | Treaty & Māori Affairs | Immigration | Foreign Policy | Democracy & Government |
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| Labour | ∅ | ∅ | ∅ | ∅ | ∅ | ∅ |
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| NZ Loyal | ∅ | ||||||||||
| Te Tai Tokerau | ∅ | ||||||||||